Counseling for Career Choice Act

This bill would expand how schools can use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to give students stronger career guidance and planning under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It lays out what these programs can include, like helping counselors share up-to-date job and college information, tracking local job trends with state and regional partners, and adding financial aid help and financial literacy for students.

Key points

• Who is affected: Students and school counselors; schools that receive these grants.
• What changes: Schools could fund activities such as:
  • Identifying regional workforce trends and building ways for counselors to access that information
  • Training and certifications for counselors and other educators
  • Financial literacy and Federal financial aid awareness
  • Postsecondary options like individual career plans, personalized learning plans, apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, and programs leading to recognized credentials, 2-year, or 4-year degrees
  • Partnerships with local “one-stop” workforce centers, including job fairs and career days at schools
  • Using emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, to support career guidance
  • Tracking student outcomes after high school
• When: If passed, schools could use existing grants to do these activities.